Paint bucket and ergonomic holder

ABSTRACT

The present invention includes a paint bucket preferably formed of a flexible material and having a set of rigid support arms extending opposite each other along the perimeter of the paint bucket. An ergonomic handle is provided for supporting the paint bucket. The ergonomic handle is preferably formed of a semi-circular, or horse shoe base, for surrounding a portion of the perimeter of the paint bucket. Slots are provided on either end of the base for receiving the rigid support arms provided along the outer perimeter of the flexible bucket. The bucket is easily removable and replaceable within the semi-circular base as desired by the user when using several different paint colors or when the bucket is empty. A support member extends outwardly from the base opposite the slots. The support member may include a gripper handle provided for swiveling the bucket into a usable position and maintaining that position by the user. A strap is provided with the support member for securing the support member along the forearm of the user.

RELATION TO OTHER PATENTS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. pat. app. Ser. No. 09/776,819 filed on Feb. 5, 2001 by Garrett A. Morelock for a PAINT BUCKET AND ERGONIMIC HOLDER.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates generally to an ergonomic brace for supporting a paint can assembly. More particularly, the invention relates to an ergonomically shaped brace for supporting a swivel paint can for a hands-free environment.

[0004] 2. Discussion

[0005] Generally, professional and lay painters are required to carry a paint can around in one hand and paint brush in the other when painting trim and the like. Such arrangement has a tendency to cause fatigue and tension within the neck, arm and hand holding and carrying the paint can. Particularly, a user may experience muscle cramping and hand or finger tremor when continuous support of a paint can is required to perform such labor intensive work.

[0006] Previous inventions are directed toward, at best, alleviating such muscle tension and fatigue by providing an after-market handle for use with a standard paint can such as that taught by U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,807 issued to Gerald L. Busch on Nov. 5, 1996 and entitled “Apparatus and Method for Holding a Container in One Hand;” and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 409,912 issued to Robert D. Brennan on May 18, 1999 and entitled “Paint Can Handle.” A disadvantage of the finger sleeve taught by Busch and the handle taught by Brennan is that neither eliminates hand and arm fatigue. A further disadvantage of the finger sleeve is it is not sturdy enough to support long term use.

[0007] Other inventions are directed toward a hands-free paint can holder such as that taught by U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,966 issued to Carroll J. Voisin, Jr. on Dec. 28, 1999 and entitled “Paint Can Holder.” Voisin teaches a rigid holder for a standard paint can that attaches to a user's belt. Although such an arrangement provides a hands-free environment, a disadvantage of the handle is that it shows a use with a pre-existing paint can. Thus, because the handle is formed of a rigid non-adjustable material to support a full paint can, the handle requires additional adapters of different sizes to accommodate the different standard paint can sizes available in the marketplace. A further disadvantage of this arrangement is that the support for the paint can is dependent on the user having a belt line for supporting a belt. The belt then supports the handle about the user's waist. Such support is not durable enough to hold a full paint can in position about a user's waist where the belt itself may not be strong enough to maintain a paint can in a level position. The can may rotate about its central pivot point and spill the paint. Further, because the Voisin, Jr. handle uses an industry standard paint can, the handle must constructed of a material having sufficient rigidity to support the weight of a full paint can.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to eliminate muscle tension and fatigue by providing a hands-free environment for painting.

[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide an assembly including an ergonomic brace for supporting an object such as a flexible, light weight bucket.

[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel paint bucket.

[0011] It is still another object of the present invention to provide an ergonomic brace and bucket assembly that prevents the bucket from tipping over and spilling its contents.

[0012] It is still another object of the present invention to provide an ergonomic assembly that suspends a brace with bucket from a user's arm creating a light weight, tension free assembly that allows the bucket to swivel freely within the bracket.

[0013] The present invention includes a paint bucket preferably formed of a flexible material and having a set of rigid support arms extending opposite each other along the perimeter of the paint bucket. An ergonomic handle is provided for supporting the paint bucket.

[0014] The ergonomic handle is preferably formed of a semi-circular, or horse shoe base, for surrounding a portion of the perimeter of the paint bucket. Slots are provided on either end of the base for receiving the rigid support arms provided along the outer perimeter of the flexible bucket. Because the bucket is flexible, the sides may be squeezed inwardly to allow the bucket to be placed within the semi-circular base and secured by the rigid support arms within the slots provided. The base perimeter is preferably wider than the bucket outer perimeter and, along with the slots, allows the bucket to swivel freely due to gravity about the rigid support arms. The bucket is easily removable and replaceable within the semi-circular base as desired by the user when using several different paint colors or when the bucket is empty.

[0015] A support member extends outwardly from the base opposite the slots. The support member may include a gripper handle provided for swiveling the bucket into a usable position and maintaining that position by the user. A strap is provided with the support member for securing the support member along the forearm of the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016]FIG. 1 is side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a use position;

[0017]FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention attached to a user and showing the bucket in a rotated position;

[0018]FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

[0020]FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0021] With reference to FIGS. 1-4, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown generally at 10. Specifically, FIG. 4 shows a preferred embodiment of paint bucket 12 and ergonomic brace 14. Paint bucket 12 is preferably formed of a flexible material and more specifically, has a flexible perimeter 16. A set of opposing rigid support arms 18 extend generally perpendicular to flexible perimeter 16.

[0022] With reference to FIG. 5, a second preferred embodiment of the ergonomic holder is there shown and includes a brace 114 having a rigid base member 120 that is preferably in a semi-circular shape for encompassing a removable flexible and adjustable band 116 that fits adjustably around a paint bucket. The band 116 includes opposing rigid support arms 118 for releasably securing the band 116 to the rigid base member 120. The band 116 may be formed of a disposable material. A support member 122 extends generally perpendicular to base 120 and is fixedly attached to base 120 opposite rigid base member 120. Support member 122 includes an angled grip 124 and means for supporting a strap as shown in FIGS. 1-2. Slots 128 are provided at the ends of semi-circular rigid base member 120 for supporting the removable flexible and adjustable band 116 via the opposing rigid support arms 118. In turn, the removable flexible band 116 adjusts to support an object such as a paint bucket along its outer perimeter similar to that shown in FIG. 3.

[0023] Brace 14 is formed of rigid base member 20 that is preferably in a semi-circular shape for encompassing the flexible perimeter 16 of paint bucket 12. A support member 22 extends generally perpendicular to base 20 and is fixedly attached to base 20 opposite rigid base member 20. Support member 22 includes an angled grip 24 and strap 26 for fixing the ergonomic brace 14 to a user's forearm as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Slots 28 are provided at the ends of semi-circular rigid base member 20 for supporting an object such as paint bucket 12 having rigid support arms 18 as shown in FIG. 3.

[0024] In a preferred use of the present invention 10, flexible perimeter 16 of paint bucket 12 is flexed to slide rigid support arms 18 within slots 28. Ergonomic brace 14 is attached to a user's forearm with strap 26. Proper attachment is preferably shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, where support member 14 extends along the lower .portion of the user's forearm and strap 26 extends around the upper portion of the user's forearm. Strap 26 may be of any configuration effective to support the ergonomic brace 14 with an object such as paint bucket 12. When placed on the user's forearm in this preferred arrangement, angled grip 24 may be held by the user's hand. Paint bucket 12 may be filled at any time during the assembly.

[0025] Once the paint bucket 12 is flexed into position within the ergonomic brace 14 and properly attached to a user's forearm, the paint bucket 12 may swivel freely within the semi-circular rigid support arms 18. With reference to FIG. 1, the grip 24 may be grasped by the user to swivel the paint bucket 12 upwardly to access the paint within the paint bucket 12. When the user has paint on his brush or is not in need of the paint bucket 12, the user may allow the paint bucket 12 to swivel downward and swing freely under gravity by allowing his forearm to hang naturally in a downward position as shown in FIG. 2. Thus, the ergonomic brace 14 supports the weight of the paint bucket 12 or any other object that may be attached to the base member 20 freeing the user's hands and resulting in a tension free, hands free work environment.

[0026] Paint bucket 12 is readily removable and replaceable from ergonomic brace 14 by simply flexing perimeter 16 inwardly to remove the rigid support arms 18 from slots 28. In this way, a user may have access to several different paint colors at one time by providing a supply of paint buckets 12. Alternatively, the paint bucket 12 is disposable or may be used as storage if desired.

[0027] While the invention has been described in the specification and illustrated in the drawings with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment illustrated by the drawings and described in the specification as the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include any embodiments falling within the description of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An ergonomic brace for supporting a paint bucket comprising: A rigid base member extending about the perimeter of said paint bucket; A rigid support member fixedly attached to said rigid base member; and An adjustable band for removably securing said paint bucket to said rigid base member opposite said rigid support member.
 2. The ergonomic brace of claim 1, further comprising a strap attachable to said support member for securing said support member to a user.
 3. The ergonomic brace of claim 1, wherein said paint bucket is rotatably secured to said support arms by said adjustable band and is able to swivel about said support arms within said rigid base member.
 4. The ergonomic brace of claim 1, wherein said adjustable band is removable and replaceable within said rigid base member.
 5. The ergonomic brace of claim 1, wherein said paint bucket and said adjustable band are disposable.
 6. The ergonomic brace of claim 1, wherein said paint bucket and said adjustable band are made of flexible material.
 7. A handle for use with a bucket, the handle assembly comprising: An adjustable band having a set of opposing rigid support arms about the outer perimeter of said band, said band removably secured to a bucket; A rigid base member extending from one end of said handle extending around said band and supporting said band by said rigid support arms within said handle; A support member extending from the opposite end of said handle; and A strap attachable to said support member for securing said support member to a user.
 8. The handle assembly of claim 7, wherein a bucket is removable and replaceable from said adjustable band and said rigid base member.
 9. The handle assembly of claim 7, wherein said bucket is rotatably secured to said rigid base member by said band and is able to swivel about said support arms of said band within said rigid base member.
 10. The handle assembly of claim 7, wherein said band and bucket are disposable.
 11. The handle of claim 7, wherein said support member is removably attachable to a user by said strap and supports said handle assembly ergonomically about a user's arm for hands-free support of a bucket within said rigid base member. 